"I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even of supreme sacrifice."
On behalf of Hardee County Professional Fire Fighters our condolences go out to the Members and Families of the Toledo Fire Fighters, Local 92, who lost 2 firefighters in the Line-Of-Duty at an apartment fire. REST IN PEACE BROTHERS.
The FPF DVP will be attending our next meeting on Febuary 2nd at station one at 8:45. As we all are aware the County wants to take arbitration from us and we cannot let this happen. DVP Merv Kennell will anwser any questions you may have and help us strategize a counter in hopes of avoiding impass. President Simpson urges EVERYONE to attend. A reminder e-mail will be sent out when we get closer to the meeting date.
Stations one, and three responded last Thursday to reported overturned fuel tanker on fire. The driver of a tanker carrying over 8,500 gallons of fuel was killed after it crashed and caught on fire on State Road 62. This marks the third traffic related fatality of 2014.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the tanker was heading east on SR 62 approaching Moye Road when, for an unknown reason, the tanker traveled off the roadway and onto the south shoulder. It then overturned and hit a guardrail exploding into flames. The tanker was the only vehicle involved.
Both "C" and "A" Shifts kept busy on New Years Eve and Day. C-Shift responded on New Years Eve to reported structure fire off of Louisiana Ave. First due units reported fully involved pole barn in close proximity to house. Exposure lines were pulled to protect the home and a 500 gallon bulk fuel tank to the rear of the barn. Addition crews established water supply and fire was extinguished.
Early the next morning C-Shift responded to reported vehicle fire at SR 64 and Florida Ave. Station 2 arrived on scene and reported an over turned truck fully involved. Crews extinguished fire to find young deceased female inside. Accident is under investigation.
McEwen Rd. Structure Fire
A-Shift came on duty and shortly after responded to reported structure fire on McEwen Rd. First units on scene reported woodframe structure fully involved. First line off went to protecting an exposure in immediate danger while additional lines went to work knocking the fire down. Arching power lines on both sides delayed the advancement until power company could kill the power. Fire was extinguished and exposure was saved.
During overhaul, tones went out for MVC. AMR was called for mutual aid to run rescue while one engine company on scene was cleared to respond. Engine arrived on scene and found a single vehicle motorcycle accident. The patient sustained multiple traumatic injuries and coded enroute to hospital, becoming the second traffic fatality of 2014.
C-Shift responded to a reported structure fire this past friday around 3pm at Country Manor Apartments off S.R. 62 W. First engine on scene reported smoke showing from a second floor apartment. Engine 11 caught a nearby plug and quickly stretched a line up the stairwell to the frontdoor. Upon entry the attack crew found an well involved kitchen fire. A quick knockdown was made and all extension was extinquished during overhaul. All residents were evacuated and no one was injured. Cause was determined to be an accidental cooking fire. Units on scene; E11, T11, E31, E21, R21, C2 and C1.
Local 3471 regrets to announce the passing of retired FF/EMT Eugene Beck. Eugene was employed by Hardee County from 5/14/1973 to 6/01/2000. Even in retirement he was an active volunteer with our department. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Beck family. The viewing will be on Friday the 25th from 1800 to 2000, and the funeral Saturday the 26th at 1400 at New Hope Baptist Church. New Hope Is approximately 3 miles east of Zolfo Springs on S.R. 64. Rest in Peace Brother.
A-shift responded to reported structure fire on Old Crewsville Rd. on December 22nd. While enroute units were notified that an elderly woman and possibly a small child were still inside.
First units on scene report a concrete block structure with heavy smoke and flames showing. Immediatly it was discovered that Hardee County Sheriffs Officers were in the process of pulling the elderly woman out of the back window and that the missing child was found safey outside.
An agressive interior attack brought this fire under control within 20 minutes, while overhaul lasted for just over an hour. It was discovered that the fire had begun in a bedroom and very quickly spread into the hallway blocking the elderly womans egress.
Responding to the scene were two engines, a tanker, a rescue, and Chief 2. The exact cause has not been offically released.
A-Shift responded to a reported structure fire on Yetter Rd. Thursday morning. First arriving apparatus reported that they had a concrete block structure with smoke and flames showing.
An agressive interior attack brought this room and contents under control within minutes. One room and all its contents were destroyed but the rest of the house only suffered moderate smoke damage. Overhaul lasted about an hour making sure no extension was present before handing the scene over to the Florida State Fire Marshalls Office.
Responding to the scene were three engines, a tanker, a rescue, Chief 1, and Chief 2. The exact cause has not been offically released.
A-Shift started its shift out early Tuesday with a structure fire reported on S.R. 64 E. First engine on scene reported smoke showing. Engine company stretched a line to the rear entrance and upon entry found an active kitchen fire. A quick knockdown was made and all extension was extinquished during overhaul. Despite an extended response time due to the distance out, the structure was saved and almost all damage was contained to kitchen. Cause was determined to be an accidental grease fire while unattended. Units on scene; E11, T11, E21, R21, and C1.
